Question

The width and the length of a rectangle are consecutive even integers. If the width is decreased by 3 inches, then the area of the resulting rectangle is 24 square inches. What is the area of the original rectangle?

Answer 1

area= l*W

width = 2w
lenghth=2w+2 consecutive even integer

decrease width by 3
2w-3
area = (2w+2)(2w-3)=24

4w^2 - 6w + 4w -6 = 24 subtract 24 both sides

4w^2 -2W -30 = 0

FIND THE ZEROS hint use quadratic formula
IGNORE ANY NEGATIVE NUMBERS
plug back in original

then compute area